Colm Ó Lochlainn

1892 – 1972

William Gerard O’Loughlin was born in Dublin on the 11th of October 1892. His father John O’Loughlin was a travelling sales representative for a printing company. His mother was a Delia (Bridget) Carr from Limerick City whose family were wealthy and in the printing business. Colm was one of six children born but only four survived. Colm’s education lead him to the Holy Spirit Fathers in St. Mary’s College and later he became a teacher in Scoil Éanna. While teaching there he qualified with a BA from UCD. He became an assistant in the Irish Department in UCD and he would lecture on Gaelic Studies often.

Though he had a keen interest in the Ireland of that time he did not give his full enthusiasm to ‘the cause’. He remained focused on Gaelic Studies, he taught and lectured but steadfastly refused to stand for the Dáil despite being asked to do so by various political parties.

He was a very good Uilleann piper. He would visit Seamus Ennis Snr once a week and in return for tution he would teach Seamus Irish.

He had a deep interest in Sean Nós singing and his publishing company, Three Candles Printing Press, published many collections of Irish Ballads. He was involved in the arts and was associated with Scoil Acla.

He was married to Ailish McInerney from Bray Co. Wicklow, they had four in family, two sons and two daughters. Colm died on the 26th of May 1972.